Waynesville, NC — The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) is pleased to announce the
recipients of the 2025 Grassroots Arts Program Subgrants, awarding over $21,000 to
support arts programming and general operations throughout Haywood County.

The Grassroots Arts Program, established in 1977 by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division
of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, provides critical funding to strengthen the
arts statewide. In Haywood County, these funds are distributed through a long-standing
partnership between the North Carolina Arts Council and the Haywood County Arts Council.

“These grants play a vital role in strengthening and expanding the arts in our region,” said
Tonya Harwood, Executive Director of the Haywood County Arts Council. “They help make the
arts more accessible and ensure our diverse community has opportunities to experience, create,
and connect through the arts. We are deeply grateful to our legislators and the NC Arts Council
for their continued support in bringing these funds to our community.”

The 2025 Grassroots Grant Recipients are:

● Haywood Community College Foundation – Funding will support the addition of
a metalwork sculpture to the college’s art walk in celebration of HCC’s 60th anniversary.
● HART Theatre – Awarded funds to help keep tuition affordable for Academy at HART
programming, including theater, dance, and music classes.
● Haywood Vocational Opportunities – Grant supports the HVO Drama Club’s
December play, providing drama opportunities for adults with disabilities.
● First United Methodist Church – Funding supports their Arts in Afterschool
program, enriching youth education through the arts.
● Haywood Community Band – Received funds for operational support, including
marketing, music purchases, and rehearsal space rental.
● Downtown Waynesville Commission – Awarded a grant to help purchase a
portable stage for live music and dance events downtown.
● Waynesville Public Housing Authority – Funding provides tenant-led art classes
for low-income and disabled senior residents of the Towers.
● Haywood Choral Society – Grant will help cover costs for professional musicians to
accompany the group during public performances.
● Voices in the Laurel – Funding supports a special anniversary concert, Coming
Home, reuniting alumni and current singers in celebration of the group’s 30th
anniversary.
● DayDreamz Project – Awarded funds for their Creative Express Workshops, which
provide free arts programming, exhibits, and events for all—especially underserved and
disadvantaged groups.

These organizations represent a broad range of artistic disciplines and community engagement
efforts—from youth and senior programming to public art and live performance. Together, they
make Haywood County a vibrant place to live, work, and create.

Haywood Community College Foundation, one of this year’s recipients, will use its grant
to add a new metalwork sculpture to the college’s art walk in celebration of its 60th
anniversary.“Having art on campus brings our community together in such a meaningful way,”
said Hylah Birenbaum, Executive Director of the HCC Foundation. “It celebrates creativity,
connection, and the talented artists who call this region home, while also highlighting the
professional crafts programs we’re proud to teach here at the college.”

For more information about the Grassroots Arts Program or the Haywood County Arts Council,
visit www.haywoodarts.org